Seeking Style
Recently, I cleaned out my closet, and rid myself of all of the clothes that I hadn’t worn in a few years, or clothes that just didn’t suit me for one reason or the other — too modern, too short, too big, too bland, whatever. I laid a hard rule that if it didn’t fit right, or it wasn’t quite retro enough, it had to go. I got rid of about 2 large trash bags full of clothes, which was quite nice!
But I still have a massive closet full of dresses and skirts, and I’m still not sure what my real direction is with style. I’ve struggled with this for… always, actually. As much as I absolutely adore full-on retro 1950’s or 1940’s style, I don’t think it’s quite for me. And I also love pattern mixing, but most of the time it seems too fussy. And I adore color, but too much gets me overwhelmed. And I love wearing scarves and flowers in my hair, but sometimes it’s too twee. So what, really am I looking for in style?
To help me figure out where my sweet spot is with colorful, retro, pattern-mixed outfits, I went through the last three years of my style and picked out the outfits I’ve worn over the last few years that I absolutely, positively adore. Here’s what I came up with:
1. I am definitely a bit of a hippie/boho lover, which was surprising. These looks are my FAVORITE. I remember feeling perfect in all of these looks. I love the look of long, slightly messy flowing hair, quirky braids, and simple outfits made to pop with a cozy graphic/Indian print sweater or cardigan, and head adornments. Currently, actually, I am coveting two graphic print sweaters (1,2) that I plan to snatch if they’re still available when I can get them, and both would fit perfectly with this theme.
2. I love me some good florals! This one is blatantly obvious, especially if you look through my closet. About half of my 50+ dresses are floral. It’s ridiculous. But with all of these, I noticed that I tend to like the floral looks best if I keep all of the accessories and other garments simple or plain. And most of these ones are also tinged with a little bit of boho flavor. Go figure.
3. I like simplicity. Although I adore going full vintage-look, as I did with this red eShakti dress, I prefer my retro looks to be much more about the hint of retro rather than the whole shebang. This combo of plain tee+full skirt is probably my go-to look. All a girl needs is great shoes, a good skirt, and a simple tee shirt. I could live in any of these looks happily for the rest of my life. They’re a little bit retro housewife, without being blatantly 50’s or overdone and fussy, and that really appeals to me!
4. And, of course, when I do mix patterns and colors, I like to do it simply. A big pattern, pops of color, and maybe one small, hardly noticeable other pattern added in. I’ve never liked going all neutral, as you can see, but one shot of color does wonders for an outfit. And I’m much more open to wearing mostly neutrals than I used to be, now that I know simplicity appeals to me.
So, overall, I like things to be easy, unfussy, and flowing. A main color, with a bit of retro boho feel, one noticeable pattern, with a full skirt or dress, or long cardigan, and simple shapes. I realized looking through these that I am not a big jewelry person — I like stud earrings, and maybe a good necklace now and then… but overall, these looks are relatively jewelry-free, or have only one piece of jewelry (other than my wedding ring). I like having a good two-tone color scheme, with colors that are close on the color wheel. And mostly, I prefer my hair down and naturally styled.
Having looked through my style archives, I now think the five words to describe my style would be: boho/retro, feminine, simple, flowing, and quirky. Going forward, I will refer back to this post to add pieces to my wardrobe; I still love the retro looks, but toned down. I think with every look, there has to be an element of practicality, especially as a mom! But mostly, I don’t like to look too perfect, too done. I like to have slightly messy hair, slightly undone makeup, slightly less-styled outfits… I don’t like perfection.
Also, I wear a lot of yellow. I think it might be my second-favorite color. Incidentally, these shoes are now on their way to me in the mail, and I cannot WAIT to get them!
So, what do you think? What helped you reach your current style? What five words describe you?
I hope you are all having a great Friday!
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11 Comments
Salazar
That’s a good idea to figure out your style – look through your archives and see which outfits you like best. I think my favorite out of those are definite the simple t-shirt + full skirt ones, but that’s maybe because my style is moving toward simplicity too.
Eccentric Owl
I thought of you with the simple skirt/shirt ones, actually!
Emma Morgenthaler
Kristina serriously ive just done the same thing and realized I too am more boho even though ive been wearing 50′ s for a few years it doesnt really suit me im also 38 so I cant do the whole hair bows etc coz I feel to little girl. I always used to wear boho but hippy and wem ive worm thst style recently I ve felt really happy. I do like 50′ s look fir dressing up or occasions uve realized. I love ur look its in eomeways v similar to me in that u like both looks though u like abit geeky retro and I like lots of stripes / polka dot. Have u heard of cath kidston? In in uk and love her I have lots of her stuff. Take care and thsnk for the post by the way I know u may not think it but u do look lovely in 50′ s just as much as boho but its how u feel that matters. Also wen u have a baby u totslly change ur style as u feel different. Xx
Eccentric Owl
Isn’t it funny how that works? I think the 50’s silhouette really suits my body type, but the whole done-ness of the look just doesn’t suit my personality (or being a mom, practically) but I definitely like the boho look, and geeky retro!
And I agree, having a baby totally changed my style!
Oh, I’ll have to look Cath Kidston up!
Alexandra Marie
So many adorable outfits- I love them all! Alex
http://tobebeautifulingodseyes.blogspot.com
Tamara W.
I love all of these looks! I just wear what I like and what makes me feel good. I don’t like to limit myself to one type of style. I like way too many things! ;). I love your blog.
Tamara
http://www.trulytamara.com
Jessica
Wooow you have so many great outfits! You look so pretty in those pics with your pregnant belly 🙂 I think my style in five words would be: simple, affordable (I like Goodwill and Ross, and clearance racks! LOL), comfortable… hmm that’s all I can think of lol I don’t really like to stand out in bright colors so my closet is full of darker/neutrals…BUT yellow is such a pretty color, I have a shirt that is yellow and I always feel so HAPPY when I wear it! I think bright colors can totally change your mood! 🙂
Jessica
the.pyreflies.org
Ashley
I love how your style isn’t super defined. It allows you to wear pretty much whatever the heck you want! I think you look wonderful in floral prints, that is definitely my favorite. I tend to stick with dresses with a mid century flair. I just think it suits my body and personality best :).
Mom
Your hippie/boho style is what I would call 70’s style that I love! You are a little like me after all, even though you carry it off a whole lot better than I do!! You look good in any style you wear.
By The Shore, Life & Style
Kristina, firstly love the new streamlined look of your blog. Always fun to change it up! And I adore this outfit review… I love going back through my outfits and seeing the ones that really work. Such a good lesson, right?! And me too, love me some boho!!
PS Thanks for the health well wishes! <3 Honestly, the numbness is driving me crazy!!
Desarae
What a great way to chronicle your style, by looking over your past posts and picking out favorites. 🙂 My favorites were the boho looks– that is what I lean towards in my own fashion sense, I love long and flowing pieces.